A University of Oxford professor who has been accused of sexual assault by multiple women is taking a leave of absence, the institution announced on Tuesday. Tariq Ramadan, a professor of contemporary Islamic studies, is on leave "by mutual agreement," the university said.

"The university has consistently acknowledged the gravity of the allegations against Professor Ramadan, while emphasizing the importance of fairness and the principles of justice and due process," Oxford said in its statement. "An agreed leave of absence implies no presumption or acceptance of guilt and allows Professor Ramadan to address the extremely serious allegations made against him, all of which he categorically denies, while meeting our principal concern — addressing heightened and understandable distress, and putting first the well-being of our students and staff."